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Too many LPC students - where does responsibility lie?
“I love law! But was I right to start the LPC without having secured a training contract?” We often falter when we take stock of reality. And this is especially true of law students who’ve forked over several thousands of pounds to private LPC providers.
Job hunting in the Twitter age
Social media is not the only way to get a job but it can certainly help. There is an undeniable movement in this direction and I’d urge anyone ignoring it, not to.
The 'radical' changes by the LETR
In a recent article I read on Lawyer2b, I found out that the Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) is considering the abolition of the qualifying law degree. But could the end really be near for the traditional LLB, and what will the future hold for alternatives into law?
Overcharging, Lawyer Speak and Customers
How far is it that lawyers have to go when explaining the component parts of a legitimate bill to ensure that their “customer” understands what they will be paying for?
The pointlessness of a law degree
What is a law degree for? What is the point of the LLB? Well, if one wants to be a law academic, it is a useful way to start.
Mandarin: The Language to Learn?
I started learning Mandarin Chinese when I was just 14 years old and have never turned back. I was lucky enough, to have classes available to me at my school, who now make it part of the curriculum from 11 years old. But why bother?
Is it really worth it?
As an A Level student, I am in the midst of the fiasco which comes from the rise in tuition fees with suggestions and advice flying everywhere but none of it seems relevant, and as of yet, like some of you I have no idea what I will be doing this time in 2 years.
The Earth Shook: Week one on my training contract
There were tremors felt across the county causing our offices to shake violently during the first full week of my training contract. The British Geological Survey put it down to a “sonic event” and said it was not related to an earthquake. I’m not so sure.
Never too late for law
I am 50 years old and about to start my training contract in January 2012. I would certainly have benefitted from an event like Lawyer 2B’s ’Not Too Late For Law’ just over four years ago as I was about to start my CPE. I would like to tell you briefly about how have I got to where I am now and what were the obstacles that I have faced as a mature applicant.
Can the Accutrainee model have any impact on diversity?
Deemed by some a cut price training scheme, the new Accutrainee model claims to offer law firms a way of reducing recruitment costs, whilst not sacrificing headcount.
Why the bar really is a meritocracy
I have the utmost sympathy with @Dusty_Cobweb author of ’Access Denied’. The hunt for pupillage is a miserable time, but that really is no excuse for continuing to peddle the easy myths about how you can only succeed in getting a pupillage at the bar if you are white, male, middle-class, went to public school, Oxford, Cambridge, have lots of money, blah blah blah.
Do we need more pupillages?
The number of students who want to become barristers shows little sign of diminishing with 3,100 applicants to the Bar Professional Training Course (BTPC) in 2010/2011 and 3,016 in 2011/2012. In 2010/2011 1,618 students successfully enrolled on the BTPC
An African adventure
I write this, my first piece for The Lawyer, amidst a scene of carnage. Not in the legal landscape – though recent weeks have seen some big stories, and the future promises similar excitement – but in my house.
Sophia's vacation scheme diary
A client meeting in Belgium, lots of interaction with associates and partners, exposure to interesting deals, oh and croquet at Exchange Square. These were my experiences on a vacation scheme at Latham & Watkins.
Vacation scheme diary: Week One
I arrived at Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) on Monday, a mixture of nerves and excitement, and with a list of endless questions on my mind. Will they like me? What if I make a mistake? What if I’m just ignored?
What's the use of a gay staff network?
I “came out” at Linklaters shortly after I joined the firm as a trainee in 1994. I don’t recall anyone expressing much surprise or outrage at the time and my working life carried on much as it had before.
SRA opts for £6.08 per hour for trainee minimum wage
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is scrapping its trainee minimum pay in favour of the main rate in the National Minimum Wage.
How to end up in-house?
I would really like to end up as an in-house lawyer at a tech firm, does it matter where and in to what area I qualify?
NLS offers students the chance to qualify in India
Northumbria Law School (NLS) has been awarded the power to provide degrees to students wishing to qualify in India.
LAC announces apprenticeships for legal services
The London Apprenticeship Company (LAC) is planning to make the first legal services apprenticeships available next year.
But do you know what working as a lawyer actually involves? And are you sure of the steps you have to take to qualify as a solicitor or barrister?